TransitionZero’s latest release of open access Solar Asset Mapper dataset adds 21% more GW of global solar data

Media release

London, UK, 9 December, 2024: Climate analytics non-profit TransitionZero has released Q3 2024 data for Solar Asset Mapper (TZ-SAM), an open-access, asset-level, global dataset of commercial- and utility-scale facilities. TZ-SAM uses satellite imagery and machine learning to help over 500 users from global banks, consultancies, governments and NGOs keep track of rapid and decentralised deployment of solar.

First released in May 2024, TZ-SAM’s second release of the year includes the location, size, estimated megawatt capacity (MW) and construction date of 81,435 solar assets in 190 countries.

Figure 1. TZ-SAM now delivers scope, scale, and assurance for analysts

After securing $1m USD in funding from the Banyan Software Foundation, TransitionZero’s machine learning engineers revised the underlying methodology of TZ-SAM, resulting in more asset detections, better capacity estimates, and a 50% reduction in detection errors, from 1% to 0.5%. TZ-SAM’s detection to data pipeline is now almost entirely automated, allowing TransitionZero to publish TZ-SAM updates on a quarterly basis as of Q1 2025. Combined, these improvements to TZ-SAM will help power analysts to produce more accurate and efficient forecasts. One of TZ-SAM’s distinguishing features is its ability to identify utility-scale solar power facilities under 5MW capacity.

Figure 2. Number of small and large solar PV assets in TZ-SAM Q3 release

Joe O’Connor, Head of Machine Learning at TransitionZero, said:

“Solar is the only renewable energy source on track to meet 2030 targets, growing at a phenomenal rate. Up-to-date, accurate and accessible solar PV data is crucial to support effective energy planning decision-making. We continue to add new features and improve TZ-SAM’s methodology to support all private and public sector stakeholders with the global energy transition.”

Since launching Solar Asset Mapper in May, it has gained over 500 users from government departments, renewable energy developers, asset managers, energy consultancies, civil society organisations and global media including The Economist and New York Times. In September, TransitionZero secured a $1 million grant from the Banyan Software Foundation to accelerate the development of new features. This includes additional solar asset type metadata, increased accuracy of estimated solar capacities, and continued research into expanding detections to residential solar applications. The TZ-SAM dataset will be released quarterly as of Q1 2025. Sign up here to receive updates, download the Q3 2024 package, and explore tracked solar assets through our enhanced web UI.

About TransitionZero

TransitionZero is a climate tech non-profit established in 2021 to increase the transparency of and accessibility of energy system modelling. We provide energy system modelling data, software, and analysis to support energy transition planning decision-making. We are grant-funded by the Quadrature Climate Foundation, Google.org, Sequoia Climate Foundation, Bloomberg Philanthropies, European Climate Foundation, among others. Our data, software, and analysis is used by developers, financiers, planners, and think tanks internationally. For information on how TransitionZero’s energy system modelling expertise can assist your organisation, visit our website or contact us.